The First Sunday in Lent
Gathering
Prelude
“As the Sun with Longer Journey”
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Entrance Hymn #99 (green hymnal)
“O Lord, throughout These Forty Days”
1 O Lord, throughout these forty days
you prayed and kept the fast;
inspire repentance for our sin,
and free us from our past.
2 You strove with Satan, and you won;
your faithfulness endured;
lend us your nerve, your skill and trust
in God’s eternal word.
3 Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed
and fixed your mind above;
so teach us to deny ourselves
that we may know God’s love.
4 Be with us through this season, Lord,
and all our earthly days,
that when the final Easter dawns,
we join in heaven’s praise.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 78)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. O Lord God, you led your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide us now, so that, following your Son, we may walk safely through the wilderness of this world toward the life you alone can give, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Let us pray. Bless Kathy, O God of mercy, and bless us as we listen to the words of the scriptures. May they touch our hearts and lead us to return to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
1 When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. 3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God, 5 you shall make this response before the LORD your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. 6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, 7 we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; 9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me.” You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God. 11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #779 (blue hymnal)
“On Eagle’s Wings”
1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in this shadow for life,
say to the Lord: “My refuge,
my rock in whom I trust!”
Refrain
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
2 The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear;
under God’s wings your refuge,
with faithfulness your shield. Refrain
3 You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come. Refrain
4 For to the angels God’s given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Final refrain
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand;
and hold you, hold you in the palm of his hand.
Second Reading: Romans 10:8b-13
8b “The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 62)
Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and abounding in steadfast love.
The Holy Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 63)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 4th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’
11 and
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation
Hymn of the Day #660 (blue hymnal)
“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”
1 I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me;
all along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
2 In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
in my trials, Lord, walk with me;
when my heart is almost breaking,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
3 When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
Blessing of Narthex Crosses
P: Friends in Christ: On this first Sunday in Lent, when we ask that God would guide the Church through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come, we dedicate these crosses to the glory of God that they might remind us to take up our cross and follow Christ. This artwork was designed by Patrick Cathcart as a Scout Project. Each cross was created by a member of St. Paul’s, and the intention is that those of you who have not yet had a chance to create a cross and those who are yet to come to this community of faith will add a cross of your own design to the display. Today we ask God’s blessing upon Patrick and all who helped to complete this service project.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
Just as Christ bore the cross for the sake of the world, so we are called to willingly enter suffering for others and to witness to Jesus in all that we say, think, and do. God give us the strength and courage to do so.
The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. You made the whole earth for your glory; all creation praises you. We give you thanks, O God, for Patrick, for each who labored in love and diligence in this project, and for your goodness in creating each of your children as uniquely as these crosses that we might each reflect your glory.
Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we who glory in his death for our salvation may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Offertory
“Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”
(green hymnal, p. 96)
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.
Offering Prayer
A: Let us pray. God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
C: Amen.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. You bid your people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast. Renew our zeal in faith and life, and bring us to the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 89)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ.
Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Doxology
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 91)
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: Jesus was waited on by angels. He serves you at this meal so that you may be restored.
Agnus Dei
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 92)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #213 (green hymnal)
“I Come, O Savior, to Your Table”
1 I come, O Savior, to your table,
for weak and weary is my soul;
you, Bread of life, alone are able
to satisfy and make me whole.
Refrain
Lord, may your body and your blood
be for my soul the highest good!
2 Your body, giv’n for me, O Savior;
your blood, which once for me was shed:
these are my life and strength forever,
by them my hungry soul is fed. Refrain
3 With you, Lord, I am now united;
you live in me and I in you.
No sorrow fills my soul; delighted
it finds its deepest joy in you. Refrain
4 My heart has now become your dwelling,
O blessed, holy Trinity.
With angels I, your praises telling,
shall live in joy eternally. Refrain
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: Let us pray. Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Blessing
P: You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor.
God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #70 (maroon hymnal)
“Lead Me, Guide Me”
Refrain
Lead me, guide me, along the way;
for if you lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
1 I am weak, and I need thy strength and pow’r
to help me over my weakest hour.
Help me through the darkness thy face to see.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain
2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness,
be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in thee,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain
3 I am lost if you take your hand from me;
I am blind, without thy light to see.
Lord, just always let me thy servant be,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
John Cathcart, Assisting Minister
Kathy Hirt, Reader
Collection for Ukraine Relief
The Social Concerns committee is collecting donations to Matthew 25: Ministries for Ukrainian refugee aid. Please see below for a list of requested items. Matthew 25: also accepts monetary donations through their website or by check at Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242.
- Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, feminine hygiene items, etc.
- Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
- First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs, etc.
Upcoming Events
March 6: First Sunday in Lent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Evangelism Committee
2 pm Crochet Workshop
Monday, March 7
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
7 pm Christian Ed meeting (VBS planning)
Wednesday, March 9
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, March 10
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
6 pm BSA Troop Meeting
Friday, March 11
7 pm Scouts Lock-in begins
Saturday, March 12
12 pm-2 pm Baby shower!
7 pm Scouts Lock-in ends
March 13: Second Sunday in Lent
10:30 am Worship Service
5:30 pm Gather Cincy Young Adults Bible Study
Tuesday, March 15
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Wednesday, March 16
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, March 17
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
Copyright Notices
As the Sun with Longer Journey: Text by John Patrick Earls © 1981, Order of Saint Benedict, admin. by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN 56321. www.litpress.org All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music by Carl F. Schalk © 1995 Augsburg Fortress
O Lord, throughout These Forty Days: Text based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898; para. Gilbert E. Doan, b. 1930; © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress
On Eagle’s Wings: Text and music by Michael Joncas © 1979 OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me: Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress
I Come, O Savior, to Your Table: Arr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress
Lead Me, Guide Me: Text and music © 1953 Doris Akers. All rights administered by Unichappell Music, Inc. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.